Am I eating too many calories?

karahunts

Hello,

I am pretty new to this but I want to gain a healthier lifestyle as I used to feat fast food about 4-5 days a week!
I am an 18 yr old female, about 5'2' and weigh 120-122 lb. I am not really overweight however I am really bottom heavy and would like to lose some thigh fat. I only want to drop about 5 lbs or just enough to trim my thighs but also continue on with a healthy lifestyle from there.

I don't know how much I was eating before but it was a lot of fast food. I have reduced my calorie intake to 1300-1400 calories a day and I go for a run 1-3 miles about 3 times a week. I also try to walk on the days that I don't run. Sometimes I feel really full and although its only been about a week I really do feel like I am eating more than before.

deevatude

thats way too little.

given ur age, height and activity level, u can stand to eat alot more and lose weight

Railr0aderTony

as you are just starting, Please read this, It will explain many things that MFP does not. It is valuable info

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

kfesta52

<----same first name, I think.

I believe you could easily eat quite a bit more, especially if you are not so much looking to lose as change body composition. (I'm guessing you might be surprised to know how many calories of fast food you were eating before.) Check this out to see where you might want to be in terms of calories:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

or, second best, at least use a web site like scooby's workshop to calculate your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), and eat at or slightly below that:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Think about incorporating some weights/resistance training. Running is great; I love running and do it plenty. But weight training is more likely to create the changes you're looking for.

Good luck!

symonspatrick

No you are not eating too many calories. If anything you probably should be eating 200 to 400 more calories.

HeidiHoMom

If you want to slim your thighs...eat more and SQUAT! Go heavy on the weight using a barbell.

karahunts

Okay, I was just concerned because I really am not active in between workouts and whenever I eat I feel lazy even with the healthy foods. But I don't want to deprive my body of what it needs either. Thank you all for the advice!